The CMA represents 57,000 doctors,
but at its stormy annual meeting in Charlottetown, just
246 delegates voted (see 'Dr
Profit': lip service to medicare). The CMA won't
say how close the race between Drs Day and Burak was,
making it difficult to gauge how many really support
the outcome.
Past CMA statements and Dr Day's
election seem to clearly spell the association's support
of private healthcare. But things weren't so clear at
the annual meeting. Overshadowed by the contentious
election were resolutions calling for the abolition
of restrictions on physicians practising in both public
and private systems, and more debate on the issue. At
the same time delegates passed another, seemingly contradictory,
resolution to "acknowledge the strengths of Canada's
publicly funded healthcare system."
In all this, Dr Day insists that
"physicians must not just sit at the table, but must
position themselves at the head." Love or loathe his
ideology, outspoken Dr Day will undoubtedly inspire
you and your colleagues on the frontline to climb on
that soapbox where your opinion is sorely needed. —
Gillian Woodford, Editor
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